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Political Science and Government at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,330/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (182,300 openings/yr)

ROI 6.8x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #389 of 521 Political Science and Government programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Political Science and Government graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$449K	$454K	$433K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	6.8x	6.8x	6.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.2x	3.2x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	40	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$66,280

Out-of-state: $141,584 (3.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,508

-12% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,173

6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $35,330/yr, Political Science and Government graduates from University of Massachusetts-Lowell land near the $36,684 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Political Science and Government's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,173 represents roughly 6 months of the $35,330 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #389 of 521 Political Science and Government programs, University of Massachusetts-Lowell falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Massachusetts-Lowell

With 85% of applicants admitted, University of Massachusetts-Lowell prioritizes broad access, enrolling 11,632 students in Lowell, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Lowell →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Political Science and Government at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Political Science and Government at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?

A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Political Science and Government. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Political Science and Government careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $433,493 in decade earnings vs $448,768 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →